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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Race Report : Way Too Cool (WTC) 50k, March 7, 2015

There are many race reports on one of California's most popular 50ks - Way Too Cool. I'm not going review the reviews or review all the reasons why folks like the course. I'm simply going to discuss what worked for this first timer and what I'm going to do differently next year.

What worked:

Booking a hotel the night before the race had several advantages :

Reduced race day anxiety by picking up bib day before

Very short commute to race start

5AM hotel breakfast

Got to mingle with runners at Auburn Running Company and at film showing

Watching 'The Long Haul' which featured Mike Wolfe and Hal Koerner's trek along the John Muir Trail set the tone for the weekend!

What I'll do differently next year:

Study the elevation chart more

The race really doesn't start until about mile 18 when you hit the first hill. And unless you've 'saved some' and studied the elevation chart the next four (4) hills from mile 18 through 29 are going to hurt

Manage pace better

The first 18 miles are so fast and fun (especially in cool morning air) that it is very easy to go out too fast. I was with a faster group than my planned pace and just lost myself in the single-track. I really should have sorted myself on the first 1.6 miles and got into a groove with my planned pace group

Manage fluid/fuel better

I had a hydration pack and dutifully refilled with Tailwind when it went low, but had a lot left over on the second refill. So, I probably didn't drink enough fluid on the second half.

I ate three GUs on course plus four cups of warm soup broth. I was probably on the low end of recommended calories for me (~200 / hour) and will confirm with mentor.

Stats:

Summary

Distance: 30.16 mi

Time: 6:57:49

Avg Pace: 13:51 min/mi

Elevation Gain: 4,873 ft

Calories: 4,098 C

Timing

Time: 6:57:49

Moving Time: 6:42:03

Elapsed Time: 6:56:11

Avg Pace: 13:51 min/mi

Avg Moving Pace: 13:20 min/mi

Best Pace: 6:41 min/mi

Elevation

Elevation Gain: 4,873 ft

Elevation Loss: 4,892 ft

Min Elevation: 561 ft

Max Elevation: 1,621 ft

Heart Rate

Avg HR: 156 bpm

Max HR: 172 bpm

Photo Gallery (Google Picasa Slideshow only works with Browsers that support Flashplayer):